Registration of ‘Warrior’, ‘Scout’, and ‘Chief’ Indiangrass

Abstract

‘Warrior’ (Reg. No. CV‐252, PI 655523), ‘Scout’ (Reg. No. CV‐253, PI 655524), and ‘Chief’ (Reg. No. CV‐254, PI 655525) indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.)] Nash were developed for improved yield and forage digestibility by USDA‐ARS and the University of Nebraska for use in the central Great Plains and the Midwest USA. Warrior was tested as Oto C3 and was developed by means of both half‐sib family selection and restricted, recurrent phenotypic selection (RRPS). Scout and Chief which were tested as NE54 C2 and Holt × Oto Early C2, respectively, were developed by RRPS. Warrior is adapted to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone (HZ) 5 and the upper part of HZ 6 in the Great Plains and Midwest. It produces forage with high in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) that results in improved animal gains when utilized by beef cattle in well managed grazing systems in regions where it is adapted. Scout is adapted to HZ 5 in the Great Plains and Midwest, USA. It produces significantly greater forage yields than other adapted indiangrass cultivars when grown for hay in the western part of its adaptation region. Chief is adapted to HZ 4 and the upper half of HZ 5. It produces significantly greater forage yields than the other available HZ 4 cultivars. Warrior, Scout, and Chief represent the second generation of indiangrass cultivars developed for use in production agriculture. In the regions where they are adapted, these cultivars can be used in pure stands or in multispecies mixtures with other grasses.